According to the Daily Star, Israeli officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Russia and Syria signed a deal a few days ago for sale of advanced Igla SA-18 anti-aircraft missiles, which experts say could endanger the frequent Israeli overflights of Lebanon and flights on the Israeli side of the border. Also, the Moscow daily Kommersant reported that Syria is also interested in buying 18 Iskander-E guided missile systems, and Russia has agreed.

The ground-to-ground missiles, mounted on truck launchers, can destroy targets up to 280 kilometers away and would put most of Israel's territory, including the Dimona nuclear center in the Negev desert, in jeopardy, Kommersant said in the unsourced report. Israeli officials would not comment on the report about the Iskander-E missiles.

Analysts said the United States might be concerned that Iraqi insurgents might get their hands on Syria's Russian anti-aircraft missiles, threatening U.S. warplanes in Iraq.

News reports say senior Israeli officials have consulted with both the Russian and U.S. governments to express their concern about the prospective deal.

More than 5.8 million people voted for Nicholas Maduro at the presidential election in Venezuela. This is more than a quarter of registered voters. Why did those people vote for the man, who, as Western media write, took Venezuela to the brink of collapse?